Talk about a great ice breaker! Thanks to Rich Davis creator of Pick & Draw I had a great activity for my new students during their first art class.

Pick & Draw is an awesome game that is a fun one of a kind drawing game. It teaches students how to make crazy and creative cartoon faces. Which was exactly what I needed for my new students.

I didn't know their abilities or even what they had been exposed to from their last art teacher. Which, from what other teachers had told me, was not a lot. So I decided to use this game not only as an Ice Breaker, but as an assessment pre-test.

Check out Pick & Draw for yourself to see what it's all about. I used Pick & Draw during 3rd and 4th graders' first day. It was a great way to end class after going over rules and procedures.

My followers know I love to teach Kinders with Art Centers. But this year is going to put them to the test. I have always had Kinder classes of 20 or less. It was pretty simple to divide them into three groups of 6 or 7. This year we have a record number of Kinders enrolled. 5 classes with 24 to 26 in each!

My whole reason behind art centers was to cut down on behavior problems, keep them focused on a task, and teach them in a small group setting. All of which encouraged learning and creating. Would the centers still work? Why of course they will. I will just have to be a little more resourceful.

Here's the plan. I have 6 round tables and 1 kidney table. I will still have 3 main art centers, except this time; I'll have two tables per center. For example, 2 tables of building activities, 2 tables of play dough, and 2 tables of Toobers and Zots rotating every 12 minutes (45 min. class). So where will we create projects and have a lesson?

Kidney table allows for small group work. Teacher is always
facing the entire class so classroom management will be easier.

I will "pull out" one table at a time from the rotation to come to the "Art Center" at the kidney table for 12 minutes. When the 12 minutes are up I will pull another table and send the other back into the rotation. So only 3 tables will come to the art table each class time. The next class time the other three tables will come.

I know this means two art days of the same project, but I have had kinders master skills so much better when I can teach them in a small group. I love centers because they work.

Phew... I thought I'd never get done with my room. As my followers know this is a new school for me and it's a new room for the art room. I couldn't believe how long it would take to completely move rooms. I feel for those of you that have to do this. Plus side is everything is exactly where I want it.

About Me

Becca Ruth

Welcome to my blog. I teach High School Visual Arts 1, 2, 3, and AP Studio Art in Columbia, TN. My past art teaching experiences have been PreK - 8. I believe we must work and share together to become better teachers. My goal is to help other teachers, grow in their professions.